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California startup Lucid Motors
LCID,
is on an emissions-free roll. Last month, the EPA certified that the company’s first product, the Lucid Air, is the longest-range electric vehicle on the U.S. market. Last week, its Arizona factory began building the car. The first deliveries are expected later this month.
The Lucid Air
The 2022 Lucid Air is a full-size luxury car that can travel up to 520 miles between charges. That’s more than 100 miles longer than the previous title-holder, the 2021 Tesla
TSLA,
Model S Long Range. Lucid says it is also the fastest-charging EV built yet. The company claims it adds 20 miles of range for every minute plugged in, under ideal conditions.
The Air is available in many configurations, with power ratings from 480 to 1,111 horsepower, rear- or all-wheel-drive, and a price ranging from $77,400 to over $169,000.
It’s an impressive package, though only time will tell how well the Air serves the early adopters willing to buy from a startup.
So, what’s the company’s second trick?
Meet the 2023 Lucid Gravity.
The Lucid Gravity
The Gravity is a 7-seat SUV built on the same platform as the Air. But it uses more powerful drivetrains to pull a heavier SUV body. At least two choices are already on offer, and both are all-wheel-drive. A base 1,080-horsepower setup places an electric motor on each axle. A 1,300-horsepower model uses three motors, with each rear wheel getting independent propulsion.
Also see: All the companies that are making or planning electric vehicles
Lucid has released no details on pricing.
Lucid Motors
The Gravity isn’t intended to compete with Ford Broncos and Jeep Wranglers off the asphalt. “It’ll still have the ability to have a respectable ground clearance if needed,” says Derek Jenkins, Lucid Senior Vice President of Design and Brand. “But we’re not making a rock-crawler here.” And here, we’d note that “the ability” to have certain ground clearance almost certainly means an adjustable air suspension that lets drivers select different modes for different surfaces.
Check out: The 2021 Kia Niro EV: A city driver with a crossover vibe
Jenkins told reporters the Gravity will have a range of “400 miles plus.” The longest-range electric SUV currently for sale in the U.S., the Tesla Model X Long Range Plus, is EPA certified for 371 miles between charges.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
